1. Stress
Health

2. What is Stress? Causes of Stress?
Stress is the body’s and mind’s response to a demand.
Causes of Stress?
Environmental Stressors
Pollution, poverty, crowding, noise, natural disasters
Biological Stressors
Illness, disability, injury
Thinking Stressors
Test-taking, homework
Behavioral Stressors
Not enough sleep, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, poor time management
Life Change Stressors
Death, marriage, divorce, puberty

3. Responses to Stress
Physical
Flight or Fight: body responds with energy, reflexes, and strength to respond
Brain releases Epinephrine (hormone) which speeds up breathing and heart rate and slows digestion
Behavioral
Positive Stress (Eustress): energizes you and provides confidence
Negative Stress (Distress): makes you sick , agitated, nervous
Long-Term stress can make you sick as your body wears down!

4. Dealing with Stress Take Care of Yourself Learn to Relax
Exercise regularly – relieves tension caused by flight or fight
Get enough rest
Eat right
Learn to Relax
Breathing exercises – brings more oxygen into body
Tension releasing exercise
Build Resiliency
Increase your assets (skills or resources that help you reach a goal)

5. External Assets for Building Resiliency

6. Internal Assets for Building Resiliency

7. Dealing with Stress Change your Attitude Manage Your Time
Use positive self-talk
Be confident about yourself
Don’t worry about things out of your control
Manage Your Time
List and prioritize your projects
Know and set your limits
Make a schedule